Charleston Gazette

Logan Lawyer Gets Year in Prison: ; Man Gave $10,000 for Wife's Campaign

tobycoleman@wvgazette.com Mark O. Hrutkay will spend a year in prison for trying to buy his ex-wife a seat in the state House of Delegates with the wealth he amassed as a Logan County lawyer.

Iras Get Shield From Creditors: ; Supreme Court's Ruling Is Unanimous

WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court gave bankrupt Americans another layer of financial protection Monday, ruling that creditors cannot seize their Individual Retirement Accounts. The unanimous decision shields a nest egg relied upon by millions of people. The justices said IRAs should join pensions, 401(k)s, Social Security and other benefits tied to age, illness or disability that are afforded protection under federal bankruptcy law.

Lawsuit Deal Might Be Close: ; Insurance Bill Would Include Appeal Process for Rulings

philk@wvgazette.com House Judiciary Committee members are expected to take up legislation this morning to bar third-party bad-faith lawsuits against insurance companies (SB418), under a pending agreement between House of Delegates leadership and the governor's office.

Positive Image Sought for Sba: ; New Schools Not Always the Solution, Gov. Manchin Says

cbroadwater@wvgazette.com As chairman of the state School Building Authority, Gov. Joe Manchin wants to change the negative perception he says a lot of people have of the agency.

Inside

Medical Themes Dominate This Year's Pulitzer Prizes

Medical Themes Dominate This Year's Pulitzer Prizes

NEW YORK - The Los Angeles Times and The Wall Street Journal captured two Pulitzer Prizes apiece Monday, with the Times winning the public-service award for exposing racial injustice at an inner- city hospital and the Journal cited for its incisive stories about the plight of cancer survivors. Two other entries with medical themes were honored as well. Deanne Fitzmaurice of the San Francisco Chronicle won in feature photography for a photo essay on an Oakland hospital's effort to mend an Iraq...

U.S. Military Deaths in Iraq

As of Monday, at least 1,536 members of the U.S. military have died since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. At least 1,167 died as a result of hostile action, according to the Defense Department. The figures include four military civilians. The AP count is one higher than the Defense Department's tally, last updated at 10 a.m. Monday.

Iraqi Prisoners Riot Over Transfers of Detainees

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Prisoners at Iraq's largest detention facility protested the transfer of several detainees deemed "unruly" by authorities, throwing rocks and setting tents on fire in a disturbance that wounded four guards and 12 detainees, the military said Monday. Friday's protest at Camp Bucca - which holds about 6,000 prisoners, nearly two-thirds of all those in Iraq - caused only minor injuries before being brought under control, authorities said. It was the third major incident at an Ira...

Dunbar Decides to Clean Up Abandoned Properties

For the Gazette The Dunbar City Council unveiled plans Monday night for a mass clean up of abandoned property.

St. Albans Council Debates Political Ads

With the city's municipal election a week away, St. Albans City Council discussed illegal political advertisements during its Monday night meeting. Councilman Mac Gray started the discussion by defending himself against charges he had been illegally removing signs.

Federal Ok for Spring Hill Rebuild Could Take a Month, Developer Says

mandyrorrer@wvgazette.com It might take another month for an out-of-state developer to get the federal approval needed to redevelop the Spring Hill Apartment complex in Charleston, the developer said Monday.

Byrd Set Precedent for Filibuster Rule Change, Gop Says

WASHINGTON - Republicans say their attempt to change Senate rules to eliminate judicial filibusters follows a precedent set by Democratic Sen. Robert Byrd. The West Virginia senator says he never tried to change the rules to shut down a minority party.

Immigrants Sworn in As New U.S. Citizens

Sixty-seven immigrants hailing from 26 countries became American citizens Monday in Charleston. They were sworn in at a naturalization ceremony in the city's U.S. District courthouse.

Environment-Quality Panel Bill Ok'd

The West Virginia Environmental Quality Board would surrender its power to set water standards to the Department of Environmental Protection under legislation sent to Gov. Joe Manchin on Monday. The House of Delegates voted 65-21 with 14 absences to advance the measure, previously passed by the Senate.

Manchin Signs Bill On Banking

Banks chartered in West Virginia can lend and invest as much of their assets as any federally chartered bank under legislation signed into law Monday by Gov. Joe Manchin. Manchin had requested the bill (SB413), which removes the state's 10 percent cap on devoting capital and surplus toward financial activities. It also allows state-chartered banks to offer insurance services, removing a previous prohibition.

Readers' Voice: ; Call 357-4451

or e-mail readersvoice@wvgazette.com * Can someone tell me what is wrong with the system? I am disabled, make under $6,000 a year and I can't even qualify for a medical card. I have to pay rent, utilities and medicine. I don't know how to live on $459 a month. What is wrong with this picture?

Wastewater Idea May Hurt Customers: ; the Capitol Report; 2005 Legislature

Schedule Senate

Lawmakers Revive End-of-Life Care Bill

Doctors could refuse to provide treatment they believe would be "medically ineffective" under a bill amended and endorsed by the House Judiciary Committee on Monday. The committee voted 10-6 with nine absences to send the Senate- passed measure (SB399) to the full House. The panel had scuttled the bill last week, but agreed Friday to reconsider it.

Bush to Attend Pope's Funeral

WASHINGTON - President Bush said Monday that he would join mourners in Vatican City for the funeral of Pope John Paul II, a historic journey that marks the end of a complicated relationship between the two leaders, bound by faith and steeped in politics. In matters of life, the two men often agreed. In matters of death, their views sharply collided. But differences aside, Bush's decision to lead the U.S. delegation to the papal funeral Friday underscores the significant impact the Vatican has...